Leaked Trump EO “radically twists freedom of and from religion” into “charter for widespread and divisive discrimination”

Washington, DC, February 1, 2017—The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund is releasing the following statement regarding a leaked draft Executive Order from the Trump Administration that, if accurate, would promote widespread discrimination. The draft order, which uses religion as an excuse to discriminate, is the subject of a story in The Nation.

“This rumored executive order is a charter for widespread and divisive discrimination, against LGBTQ people, and frankly against everyone. It is designed to destroy lives and roll-back fundamental rights. It trashes the separation of church and state and aims to combine them. It will have an immediate and chilling impact on every aspect of our lives, disproportionately impacting the vulnerable. Consider the fact that personal assistant services for seniors and persons with disabilities are regularly controlled by religious organizations. This executive order could have devastating consequences for LGBTQ older adults and people with disabilities who rely on these services or reside in assisted living facilities. Our youth are also especially at risk under these policies. For example, almost 20% of the 400,000 youth in foster care identify as LGBTQ. Under this order, placement organizations don’t have to serve them, or the potential parents who seek to support them. That’s 80,000 young people that can be denied service under this executive order. You can be sure that Trump’s extremist troops — including a new government enforcement squad to be set up under this executive order — will be encouraged to implement his order with zeal, slashing and burning civil and constitutional rights as they go along. What will be shocking to millions of people of all faiths and secular people alike is that Trump radically twists freedom of and freedom from religion to justify this amoral action. If this leak is accurate, and he signs this or a similar order, it will be a truly devastating day for American freedoms. We will continue to join with immigrants, Muslims, refugees, women and other fair-minded people in protecting what we hold to be good and true about America,” said Rea Carey, Executive Director, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund.